Bowling ball case



Nov. 30, 1965 s. N. GLANTZ ETAL. 3,220,520

BOWLING BALL CASE Filed Oct. 15, 1963 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,220,520 BOWLING BALL CASE Samuel N. Glantz and Milton Glantz, Liucolnwood, Hll. (both of 691 N. Sangamon St., Chicago, ill.) Filed Oct. 15, 1963, Ser. No. 316,366 3 Claims. (Cl. 190-48) This invention relates in general to bowling ball cases and in particular to a ball clamping arrangement in bowling ball cases of the type designed for carrying two or 1 more duck-pin bowling balls. Its principal object is to provide a simple and reliable clamping arrangement which provides ease in inserting and removing duck-pin balls from a bowling case, yet holds the balls firmly in place during transit and when the case is opened and closed.

A ten-pin bowler uses the same ball once or twice each frame, while a duck-pin bowler usually uses several different balls each frame. Accordingly, the equipment of a duck-pin bowler usually includes two or three separate bowling balls.

In meeting the duck-pin bowlers demand for a two or three ball carrying bag or case which holds the balls from contacting each other and becoming nicked or scarred, suppliers have developed special bags having separate compartments for each ball. The compartments in these known bags usually consist of a sturdy separator or separators dividing the interior of the bag into two or three compartments. In duck-pin bowling ball bags of the zipper type in which only the upper portion of the bag is opened, the bowlers have difficulty in removing the balls since the compartments have very little finger clearance for gripping the ball. In the more ideal carrying cases which are hinged at the bottom, adequate gripping clearance is provided but the balls often roll out of the case since the compartments therein usually utilize the sides of the case for defining the ball compartment. When such cases are opened, one of the supporting sides of the compartments no longer functions to hold the ball in position.

According to the present invention, the foregoing disadvantages are overcome by providing a unique ball clamping arrangement in a hinged-type bowling ball case in which the balls are held in place when the case is opened yet can be readily gripped by the bowler for easy removal.

Another object is to provide a clamping arrangement in a hinged-type carrying case which performs the same holding function irrespective of the opened or closed condition of the case.

Still another object is to provide a clamping arrangement in a carrying case of the above type which reduces the clamping effect on one ball to a minimum when the other ball is removed, to thereby further enhance the insertion of the first ball in the case or the removal of the last ball from the case.

Still another object is to provide a clamping arrangement for a ball carrying case which is economical and inexpensive to manufacture and which is light in weight yet sturdy in performing its function.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent and the invention will be best understood when the specification is read in conjunction with the drawings comprising FIGS. 1 to in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective View of an opened carrying case with two duck-pin balls held in position by the inventive clamping arrangement;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show a front view, a side view having a cut-away portion, and a top view, respectively, of one section of the bowling ball case of FIG. 1 containing two duck-pin bowling balls held in position; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a portion of the bowling ball case of FIG. 1 with the duck-pin balls re- 3,220,520 Patented Nov. 30, 1965 "ice moved to more clearly show the inventive clamping arrangement.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the inventive clamping arrangement, its specific location in the carrying case and its function in securely holding a plurality of duck-pin bowling balls in place, will be described. It is to be noted that while this description is directed to a clamping arrangement for duck-pin bowling balls, it could function equally well with any size bowling ball or other 0 object having similar configurations.

A bowling ball case 1 is shown having two sections 2 and 3 hinged together at one end by hinges 11 and having a latch combination comprising latching elements 5 and 6 for holding the two sections together to define a closed compartment. The compartment thus formed in I the closed case has an internal depth dimension equal to or in excess of the diameter of the bowling ball to be carried therein; the internal width dimension is in excess of twice the diameter of the spherical objects being held; and the internal height dimension is in excess of the ball diameter; A brace combination 7 is provided for locking the two sections 2 and 3 of case 1 in an opened position and handle 4 is provided for carrying the case 1.

The inventive clamping arrangement, best seen in FIG. 5, consists of a semi-flexible band 8 having a pair of base portions 8a, a pair of side portions 8b of a configuration generally conforming to the contours of the bowling balls, and a substantially flat portion interconnecting the pair of sections 8b. It is to be understood that the section 80 could be of any one of numerous configurations since its primary function is to interconnect the two sections 8b.

The pair of base portions 8a are secured to the bottom of section 2 of case 1 by any suitable means. For purpose of ease and economy in manufacture, the base portions 8a are held in position by the bolts or rivets 12 which are used to secure the hinges 11 to the case section 2.

The distance that the side .portions 8b extend above the bottom of case 1 is chosen so that the uppermost part thereof is greater than the radius of the ball or object being clamped in position. The reason for this distance will be described hereinafter.

The length of section 80 is a function of the length of the two sections 8b and the width of the carrying case. For example, if the distance that section 80 lies above the bottom of the case is slightly greater than the radius of the bowling ball being clamped, and the width of the case is only slightly in excess of twice the diameter of two duck-pin balls, the length of section 8c would be quite small. If the distance from the bottom of the case 1 to section 80 were increased, that is if the length of sections 8b were increased, then the length of section 8c would be increased also. Also, the length of section 8c is a function of the flexibility of the material used in fabricating it. For example, if the material is quite rigid, then for flexing purposes, section 8c would need to be longer and vice versa.

The width of band 8 is likewise determined according to the degree of rigidity desired in section 8c. While the band 8 is shown to be of uniform width, the sections 8a, 8b and 80 could vary without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The entire band 8 is placed forward of the back surface or wall of case 1 a distance in excess of the radius of a ball being clamped. This is necessary in order to preclude the ball rolling forward when the case is tipped on its side. The specific location or distance limits with respect to the back wall will be described hereinafter.

In operation, a first ball, such as 9 is placed in section 2 of case 1, to one side and slightly behind one of the portions 8b of the clamping combination 8. The ball is easily positioned since the entire clamping combination 8 is semi-flexible and readily moves to one side, providing ease in inserting the ball. Thereafter, the second ball, such as 10, is placed in the samesection 2 of case 1 but on the other side of the case and slightly behind the clamping band portion 8b. At this time, the entire clamping combination cannot readily move sideways as ball 9 precludes such movement. However, portion 80, being semi-flexible, flexes sufiiciently to permit the ball to pass thereby into position. At this time, the two balls are held snugly in position and cannot move about in the case, regardless if the case is opened or closed or tilted to either side. Thus, during normal transit, the balls remain held immobile.

When the balls are to be removed, the user lifts a ball such as upward, causing portion 80 of clamping band 8 to flex and permit the passage of the ball thereby. Thereafter, the remaining ball can be easily removed since the entire clamping combination will flex as before pointed out.

One advantage of the present arrangement over known multicompartment cases resides in the fact that the hand of the user may readily extend over more than half of the ball and this permits a non-slipping grip on the ball. This is possible since only a small surface area is utilized by the clamping band 8.

From a technical standpoint, a wide latitude exists in the point of contact of the junction of portions 811 and 80, with the surface of the ball. However, certain limits prevail in order to hold the balls against movement when the case is moved into any one of its possible positions.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, a bowling ball such as 9 makes contact with the side, bottom and back of section 2 of case 1 at respective points P1, P2 and P3. As is well-known, any three points on a sphere lie within one hemisphere. Since a substantially frictionless object such as a bowling ball cannot be held by even an unlimited number of contact points all in one hemisphere, it is necessary that at least one additional point of contact such as point P4, lies outside of any hemisphere defined by points P1, P2 and P3.

Ball 9 of FIG. 2 contains dotted lines representing a first vertical plane cc passing through the noted points P2 and P3, dividing the ball into two hemispherical sections, one section lying to the left of plane cc and the other section lying to the right of plane cc. Since the contacting point P1 lies in the left hemispherical section, the fourth point P4 must lie in the right-hand hemispherical section in order to provide a clamping action.

Ball 9 of FIG. 3 contains dotted lines representing a horizontal plane an and representing a second vertical plane bb, each plane dividing the ball into a pair of hemispherical sections. The plane aa passes through points P1 (FIG. 2) and P3 (FIG. 3) to define upper and lower hemispheres. Since point P2 lies within the lower hemisphere, the noted fourth point P4 must lie in the upper hemisphere to provide a clamping action on a substantially frictionless surface. However, at the same time, the plane bb passing through points P1 (FIG. 2) and P2 (FIGS. 2 and 3), defines another pair of hemispherical sections with point P3 lying Within the right hand hemisphere. For the reasons above noted, point P4 must lie within the left hand hemisphere in order to provide a clamping action.

Combining these three hemispherical divisions, it can be seen that point P4, the point at which the junction of sections 8b and 80 contact the surface of ball 9, must lie above the center of the ball, forward of the center of the ball, and to the right of the center of ball 9 when viewed in FIG. 2. The specific location within these limits is immaterial, such location finally being determined by the distance portion 8c lies above the bottom 4 of the case, by the distance that the base portions 8a are secured forward of the back of the case; and by the flexibility of the band 8.

It is to be understood that while only one clamping point is needed, additional points or clamping bands could be provided without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Since each ball can be clamped in position by providing a contact point P4 within defined limits, it can be seen that any number of clamping devices configurations can be provided. For example, a U-shaped clamp could be mounted in the center of the case section 2 with the free ends thereof being curved slightly outward to contact the balls at points P4. Also the portion of band 8 could be positioned anywhere between the two sections 8b as long as these sections 8b had sufiicient rigidity at their ends to hold the balls.

Thus, while we have described our invention is conjunction with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A carrying case for holding a pair of bowling balls comprising a pair of hinged mating sections arranged to form an enclosed compartment, at least one of said sections having a pair of side walls, a back wall and a base, singular clamping means comprising semi-flexible unitary structure secured to the base and projecting upward into contacting relationship with the surface of said balls at a single point above the centers thereof for holding each one of said bowling balls in mechanical contact with a portion of one of said side walls, said back wall and said bottom to preclude both lateral and vertical movement of said balls when said case is placed in any position, the said clamping means at the point of contact with each said ball being positioned from said back wall and said side walls a distance less than the diameter of said balls.

2. A carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clamping means comprises a band consisting of two arcuate sections interconnected by an intermediate flexible section with one end of each arcuate section secured to the base of said case and the other end thereof contacting the surface of said balls to hold them in their said non-movable position.

3. In a carrying case as set forth in claim 2, hinge means, and means for securing said hinge means to the base of said case sections, the said means for securing one end of each arcuate section to the base including the said means for securing the said hinge means to said base.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,024,536 4/1912 Taylor 190-51 1,100,326 6/ 1914 Quackenbush 217-24 1,132,157 3/1915 Bokop 217-24 2,548,330 4/1951 Wiseman 224-5.5 2,665,830 1/1954 Fowler 224-55 2,788,972 4/1957 Turner 273-47 2,948,404 8/1960 Harrod 211-74 2,991,859 7/1961 Kaplan -52 X 2,999,691 9/1961 Utley 273-47 X 3,080,951 3/1963 Kaufman 150-52 X 3,136,398 6/1964 Platt 150-52 X FOREIGN PATENTS 43,994 9/ 1910 Austria. 700,759 12/1953 Great Britain.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CARRYING CASE FOR HOLDING A PAIR OF BOWLING BALLS COMPRISING A PAIR OF HINGED MATING SECTIONS ARRANGED TO FORM AN ENCLOSED COMPARTMENT, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SECTIONS HAVING A PAIR OF SIDE WALLS, A BACK WALL AND A BASE SINGULAR CLAMPING MEANS COMPRISING SEMI-FLEXIBLE UNITARY STRUCTURE SECURED TO THE BASE AND PROJECTING UPWARD INTO CONTACTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SURFACE OF SAID BALLS AT A SINGLE POINT ABOVE THE CENTERS THEREOF FOR HOLDING EACH ONE OF SAID BOWLING BALLS IN MECHANICAL CONTACT WITH A PORTION OF ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS, SAID BACK WALL AND SAID BOTTOM TO PRECLUDE BOTH LATERAL AND VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF SAID BALLS WHEN SAID CASE IS PLACED IN ANY 